Biologically-Adapted, Dose-Escalated Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma, BEAR Trial

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of radiotherapy doses based on tumor size and tumor-specific characteristics (biologically-adapted) in treating patients with Ewing sarcoma. Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Conventional radiotherapy uses minimal imaging support to determine the positioning of radiotherapy. Hypofractionated radiotherapy delivers higher doses of radiotherapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Dose-escalated radiotherapy uses doses that are higher than those used in conventional radiotherapy. Larger tumor sizes and other tumor-specific characteristics have been shown to be related to poorer outcomes. In addition, after dose-escalated radiotherapy, patients with larger tumors have demonstrated improved control of the disease at the primary tumor site. Giving biologically-adapted, dose-escalated radiotherapy may reduce the return of the cancer at the primary tumor site in patients with Ewing sarcoma with large tumors and other unfavorable characteristics. This clinical trial also evaluates the role of biomarkers in patients with Ewing sarcoma. Studying samples of blood and tumor tissue from patients with Ewing sarcoma in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about predicting the amount of disease and the likelihood of the cancer coming back.